Long Term Updates

Date: March, 2017

Mileage: 3,514:

Miles are quickly piling up on our long-term 2017 Subaru Crosstrek; adding 3,000 in its first month. Many of those came from our recent trek south for winter testing in Georgia, but it also has seen plenty of use hauling our crews around locally as well.

Since this is the first full report on our most recent long-term, let’s run through the specs. The Crosstrek is of course a slightly “Outbacked” version of the Impreza hatchback. Power comes from a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter Boxer-4, our car’s working through the optional CVT transmission. Early results are 30.7 miles-per-gallon; and all-wheel-drive is naturally standard.

On that recent long highway journey, our drivers noted a not very user-friendly cruise control, and flat seats that can be tiring. But, we’ll praise its cargo flexibility, agility in traffic, and confidence inspiring manner when the weather turns sour.

Date: April, 2017

Mileage: 5,064

Subaru sales have been on the rise for a long time now, and the more miles we spend with our 2017 Crosstrek long-term, the more we can see why.

There’s really nothing flashy about this jacked-up Impreza hatchback, nothing that makes you go “wow”; but it does everything you ask of it very well. It’s comfortable, well-equipped, solid-feeling, and gets you through just about any road condition or type.

Its 2.0-liter boxer-4 engine may not produce big power numbers, but it has a very responsive throttle; and 29.8 miles-per- gallon is a number we can more than live with in a small crossover.

Just 2-months and 4,500-miles in; so far, so good, with the Subaru Crosstrek.

Date: June, 2017

Mileage: 7,378

As for our all-wheel-drive 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, we’re approaching 7,000-miles through this mini-ute’s first 4-months of duty. And recent entries have noted the 148-horsepower 2.0-liter flat-4’s “just right” amount of power with snappy delivery from the CVT, as well as the Subi’s good comfort.

Yes, it’s a better driving experience than most expect; but the seating position is not as high as some in the subcompact crossover segment, due to the Crosstrek sticking very close to its Impreza hatchback roots, and some of our taller staffers yearn for a little more leg room in the driver’s seat. But the interior looks rugged, and fittingly is holding up very well.

Mileage is up over last report, now sitting at 30.4 miles-per-gallon. And with winter weather now in the rear view mirror, hopefully we’ll be able to find some off the beaten path adventures with the Crosstrek this summer.

Date: July, 2017

Mileage: 10,221

If you’re a frequent MotorWeek watcher, you likely know that when Subaru introduced the Crosstrek for 2013, despite being little more than a ruggedized Impreza hatchback, we quickly fell in love with it. Well, after spending 6-months with this 2017 version, and with an all new Crosstrek near, that candle still burns bright, for the most part.

Still, after 9,700-miles, as in every relationship, you do notice little things you didn’t pick up on before. Like a lack of stretch-out leg room for long distance comfort, and never quite enough power from the 2.0-liter flat-4 for stress-free highway merging.

We have been working it pretty hard, as mileage has slipped fromlast report to a still good 29.6 miles-per- gallon. But where the Crosstrek truly excels is in daily use, as an all-weather commuter with an off-road attitude, and practical utility to spare.

Date: November, 2017

Mileage: 16,000

While we’ve already spent time in the all-new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek crossover utility, we’re in no hurry to move on from our long-term 2017.

After 9–months and 16,000–miles, everything about this small 5-seater is holding up well, despite ourselves.

We clearly haven’t been kind to our car’s Ivory interior, judging by the stains that have emerged.

The 2.0-liter pancake engine doesn’t exactly knock our socks off; but it keeps plugging away, ably getting us there, no matter how much people or cargo we have on board; and is delivering a very good 29.4 miles-per-gallon.

Some of our staff have wished for better handling in tight corners; yes, we’re very picky. But Subaru seems to agree, as the new ’18s get the WRX’s Active Torque Vectoring standard.

Date: January, 2018

Mileage: 17,700

After 10-months and 17,700-miles of what most would say is “heavy use”, complaints have been relatively few. But we are in the unique situation of seeing our gripes addressed right before our eyes in the 2018 version.

For the power-hungry in our crew that long for more, the ’18 squeezes four additional horses out of the pancake 2.0-liter. Mileage continues to fall right around where it should, with our average at 28.9 miles-per-gallon.

Those that have found the radio knobs too small and hard to use, well the ’18 has much bigger knobs for gripping.

So, it looks like Subaru is on a mission to eliminate all of our griping, as well as keep selling a whole bunch of Crosstreks.

Date: March, 2018

Mileage: 19,606

Leaving us is our 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Trying to quickly wrap up a year’s worth of miles in the Crosstrek is impossible.

But a quick run through the final numbers says a lot; 19,606-miles was our ultimate tally, with an average of 28.8 miles-per-gallon from the 2.0-liter flat-4 working through a CVT.

That powertrain combo was our only significant complaint, as our power-hungry staff always seemed to want a little more. Add to that a desire for some additional seat comfort for long trips. But, that’s minor considering Crosstrek’s bulletproof mechanics and its stark, but roomy and well thoughtout interior.

Regardless of the weather or the abuse that we put it through, the Subaru Crosstrek was always a faithful companion.